The Emergence of a New Badminton Nation

21 February, 2018

Elsewhere in this issue are published the results of matches played in recent weeks in both Denmark and Sweden by a representative team of players from the Chinese People's Republic. We are also pleased to publish some impressions of the Chinese - and their play which have been specially written for THE BADMINTON GAZETTE by extremely Knowledgeable observers on the spot.

The matches resulted in what was little less than absolute slaughter of the chosen players of the two strongest playing countries on the continent of Europe. It is all very staggering, and it can only be described as the biggest playing landmark which Badminton has ever witnessed.

That the Chinese mainland possessed a number of outstanding players had been known for some time. Their representatives had enjoyed signal successes against the leading players of Indonesia, both in China itself and in Indonesia, but that the Chinese should be capable of bearding the Dane in the Danes' own den to the extent which happened in Copenhagen was not quite so awaited.

Clearly, the People's Republic of China must now have strong claims to be regarded, not only amongst men, but also amongst the weaker sex, as the strongest playing nation of the world. Were the People's Republic of China to compete for the Thomas Cup and for the Uber Cup, there would seem little doubt that her team would commence operations as the favourite for success in both.

But the People's Republic of China has never entered for either contest. Entry therein is naturally restricted to the members of the International Badminton Federation which promotes these renowned competitions, and whatever national organsation exists to govern the game on the Chinese mainland has not yet applied for affiliation to the Federation. One hopes that this may very quickly be rectified.

Similarly, Chinese mainland players are not eligible to compete in international open championship tournaments sanctioned by the I.B.F. These include the All-England Championships amongst the very numerous other major meet­ings throughout the world.

Similarly again, unless they may belong to clubs inmembership with some organisation affiliated to the I.B.F., these players are also not eligible for inclusion in any open tournament in England. It is believed that the same regulation applies also in nearly all countries belonging to the I.B.F.

This restriction regarding open tournament entry does not, however, prevent an I.B.F. member-nation from competing in special events with some non-member. It would be clearly ridiculous if there were any such ban. Indeed, I.B.F. members should be encouraged to go forth and teach the game to newly arising Badminton nations, and this is often done to the eventual great benefit of the organised spread of the game.

We hope that the People's Republic of China will apply formembership, so that the present members of he I.B.F. may soon have the pleasure of seeing the Chinese on court in the biggest and best known tournaments of the world as well as in official international fixtures.